Strategic Framework for the Development of Bangladesh’s Defence Industries

This white paper presents a strategic framework to develop Bangladesh’s defence industrial base in collaboration with international partners, specifically China, Türkiye, Europe, and Russia. This initiative aligns with the objectives of Forces Goal 2030+ and aims to foster strategic autonomy, local industrial growth, and defence exports, while safeguarding national sovereignty.

Here is a comprehensive framework blueprint for how Bangladesh can develop its defence industries with the help of partners from China, Türkiye, Europe, and Russia, aligning with its strategic goals under Forces Goal 2030+ and national sovereignty objectives.

I. Core Objectives

Area	Strategic Goal
Self-Reliance	Reduce reliance on foreign imports for critical defence hardware
Export Capability	Position Bangladesh as a supplier of cost-effective defence solutions in the Global South
Technological Sovereignty	Acquire and localise advanced manufacturing and electronics capabilities
Job Creation	Develop a skilled defence industrial workforce in engineering, ICT, and production
Strategic Autonomy	Reduce susceptibility to geopolitical pressure from neighbouring powers

II. International Partnership Strategy

1. China – Industrial Base + Dual-Use Tech

Area	Key Focus	Implementation
Naval Platforms	OPVs, LPDs, Frigates	Co-production at Khulna Shipyard using Chinese designs
UAV/UCAV Manufacturing	MALE/HALE drones, Loitering munitions	License production of components and assembly lines in Bangladesh
Armoured Vehicles	VT-5, ST-1, WMA301	Assembly + localisation of components via state-owned facilities
Electronics	Fire control, EO/IR sensors	Joint ventures with CETC and Poly Technologies in Hi-Tech Parks

Leverage Chinese credit lines and long-term transfer agreements without IP lock-in clauses.

2. Türkiye – Modular Weapons Systems + Tactical Integration

Area	Key Focus	Implementation
Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW)	Rifles, snipers, machine guns	Joint venture factory with Sarsılmaz/MKE in Rajshahi or Gazipur
Wheeled Armoured Vehicles	Cobra II, Vuran 4×4	Transfer assembly line to Chattogram for Cobra II variants
Artillery Systems	Boran 105mm, T-155 Fırtına/Yavuz	Localised production of towed and self-propelled artillery
UCAVs & ISR	Bayraktar TB2 & Akinci	Expand on Baykar’s collaboration into component manufacture and R&D centre

Establish a Turkish-Bangladeshi Defence Technology Incubation Centre with TUBITAK support.

3. Europe – Precision, Cyber, Airpower & Dual-Use Platforms

Area	Key Focus	Implementation
Avionics & Radar	AESA radars, ECM, EW pods	Partnerships with Thales, Leonardo for joint electronics labs
Trainer Aircraft	L-39NG, M-346	Licensed production with Bangladesh Aerospace facilities
Cybersecurity & AI Defence	C2, ISR integration	Technical assistance under EU digital cooperation framework
Naval Systems	Submarine sonar, engines	Component partnerships for future Bangladeshi submarine development

Sign offset agreements with European OEMs for tech transfer and dual-use research.

4. Russia – Missile Tech, Heavy Platforms & Maintenance Ecosystem

Area	Key Focus	Implementation
Air Defence Systems	Pantsir-S1, Tor-M2E	Establish local maintenance + spare parts hub in Bangladesh for own systems
Attack Helicopters	Mi-28NE	Explore options for joint servicing and component production (e.g., blades, rotor subsystems)
MBT Upgrades	T-72/90 modernisation	Use Russian know-how to refurbish and modernise existing stock into export models
Anti-Tank Systems	Kornet-E, Metis-M1	Manufacturing under license for regional supply to Africa or Middle East allies

Pursue localisation as part of BRICS-plus or CSTO-affiliated military-industrial outreach.

III. Domestic Infrastructure Development

Industrial Zones

Zone	Function	Location
Defence Industrial Park (DIP)	Assembly lines, R&D	Gazipur/Chattogram
Aerospace Complex	Drones, avionics, aircraft parts	Near Bangladesh Aerospace Centre (Lalmonirhat & Dhaka)
Naval Construction Zone	Frigates, patrol boats	Khulna, with support from KSY, CDDL and DEW Ltd
Missile Assembly & Testing Site	SRBMs, guided systems	Secure inland site in Rajshahi/Barisal and testing at Swarnadweep Island

IV. R&D and Human Capital

• Establish the Defence Innovation and Technology Institute (DITI) – a national R&D hub
• Fund university-to-industry pipelines in AI, EW, advanced composites
• Send technical delegations to China, Türkiye, and Russia for PhD-level training
• Partner with Qatar or Türkiye to create a sovereign defence research endowment

V. Security, Sovereignty, and Oversight

• Create an independent Bangladesh Defence Industrial Authority (BDIA) to regulate all foreign partnerships and enforce national IP protection
• Vet all joint ventures for strategic autonomy, IP control, and supply chain security
• Develop cyber protection protocols and export control laws for defence IP and AI systems

VI. Strategic Outcomes By 2030

Goal	Target
50% localisation of all future armoured vehicles, UAVs, and naval platforms	2030
Export of small arms, drones, and patrol vessels to Africa and Southeast Asia	By 2028
Establishment of two Tier-2 defence contractors	By 2030
Creation of 20,000 skilled defence industrial jobs	Within 5 years